The goal of this project is to create a BeagleBoard-powered robot capable of competing in an autonomous sumo competition in the 3.0 kg weight class ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3OR_sHrOJM an example]). This would have minor hardware and electronics elements, but would focus on communication with sensors using the BeagleBoard and the Linux kernel. At minimum, this involves sensors to detect the edge of the ring and the opposing robot.

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[[File:ECE597SumoRobotBase.jpg|thumb|right|300 px|alt="A four-wheeled robot composed of bolted-together aluminum plates with wide black tires protruding from either side. On top, two circuit boards are mounted with standoffs, the smaller BeagleBoard on top."]]

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== Links ==

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The goal of this project was to create a BeagleBoard-powered robot capable of competing in an autonomous sumo competition in the 3.0 kg weight class ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3OR_sHrOJM an example]). A chassis was constructed of aluminum and an expansion board created to allow the Beagle to control the motors and connect to the sensors. [[BeagleBoardPWM | Software]] was also created to allow PWM control of the motors, but a problem acquiring an important component (an ADC chip to allow reading infrared rangefinders and edge detectors) meant that control was fairly crude, relying on a single ultrasonic rangefinder. Before the robot could meaningfully compete in a sumo competition this issue would need to be corrected and a plow attached to the front. The robot is currently being used for general robotic experimentation.

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* [http://circ.mtco.com/competitions/2010/rules/sumo Sumo rules].

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== Sensors ==

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== Sumo Competition Rules ==

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* IR rangefinders

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The goal of a sumo competition is to force an opposing robot out of a circular ring without being either being pushed out or running out of the ring accidentally. In the 3kg weight class, the two opposing robots begin approximately 20 cm from each other in the middle of a 154 cm diameter black dohyo (raised cylinder) with white lines painted along its edge to designate the boundary. The robots may not use any methods other than simple motive force to force their opponent out of the ring and must operate completely autonomously. The robot that forces its opponent off of the dohyo wins the match.

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* Sonic rangefinders (need a way to power-cycle these [http://www.hervanta.com/stuff/Beaglebot#Sensors])

An interface board was designed that implements many of the core features listed above. The board was designed in OrCAD. The schematic, board, and artwork is available [[Media:Sumo.zip|here]]. Please see the included readme. Ideally, the board would be enlarged or everything switched to surface mount components to allow for more features to be added. This design can easily be milled so long as the holes can be plated.

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Here are the features that were implemented:

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*Power

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**5V Low Dropout (LDO) Linear Regulator

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**3.3V LDO Linear Regulator

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**Phoenix connector for power input

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*Beagleboard connector (ribbon cable to Beagleboard)

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*Motor drivers

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**4x L298, one for each motor

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**Flyback diodes

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**Logic gates (74HC04 and 74HC08) to control high and low side drivers in L298

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*Connectors

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**2x Phoenix connectors for motors

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**2x headers for GP2D12

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**2x headers for USF08

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**2x headers for optical sensors

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**2x headers for bump switches

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*Components

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**2x MAX3378 level shifters

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**Analog to Digital Converter (for IR and optical sensors)

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**2x 5v header

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**5v I2C header

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=== Power ===

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The power input is used directly for the motors and regulated down to 5v and 3.3v. 7.2V rechargeable battery packs can be used.

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== Tasks ==

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[[File:ECE597SumoRobotPanels.svg|thumb|right|400 px|Drawing of the robot's aluminum panels (click for details).]]

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* Build physical robot [On track]

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** Drivetrain [Mostly complete]

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*** Water-cut plates [Done]

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*** Cut corner fasteners [Done]

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*** Assemble [Done]

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** Electronics box (to be done after electronics have been completed) [Not started]

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* Construct electronics [In Progress]

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** Acquire AA NiMH batteries (&times;12) [Done]

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** Acquire 6AA battery holders (&times;2) [Done]

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** Acquire Sensors [Done]

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*** SRF08 sonic rangefinders (&times;2) [Done]

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*** GP2D12 IR rangefinders (&times;2) [Done]

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*** ADXL345 3-axis accelerometer [Done]

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*** Edge sensors [Done]

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** Manufacture PCB [Not started]

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*** Create PCB Schematic [Done]

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*** Layout PCB [Done]

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*** Mill board [Done]

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*** Acquire Misc board components [In progress]

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**** L298 H-bridges (&times;4) [Done]

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**** Level shifter [Done]

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**** ADC [Not started]

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*** Place Components [Partially done]

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*** Test Board [Partially done]

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* Interface Beagle with external components

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** I2C (sonic rangefinders, accelerometer) [Done]

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** PWM (motor control) [Done]

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** ADC (IR rangefinders, edge sensors) [Done]

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** GPIO (LED, buttons, motor control) [Done]

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* Write control software [Partially done]

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** Low-level motor control [Done]

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** Detect and prevent exit from arena [Not started]

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** Detect and ram competitor [Not started]

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** Recover from a competitor's attack [Not started]

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* Build or print sumo ring [Not started]

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== Team Members ==

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* [[User:Tomwm|Tom Most]]

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* [[User:Batydm|David Baty]]

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* [[User:Zeta Syanthis]]

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== Links ==

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* [http://circ.mtco.com/competitions/2010/rules/sumo Sumo rules].

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* [[Media:Sumo_Robot_Presentation.pdf|Sumo Robot Presentation]]

[[Category:ECE597]]

[[Category:ECE597]]

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[[Category:Robotics]]

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[[Category:BeagleBoard Expansion Boards]]

Revision as of 19:53, 27 July 2010

The goal of this project was to create a BeagleBoard-powered robot capable of competing in an autonomous sumo competition in the 3.0 kg weight class (an example). A chassis was constructed of aluminum and an expansion board created to allow the Beagle to control the motors and connect to the sensors. Software was also created to allow PWM control of the motors, but a problem acquiring an important component (an ADC chip to allow reading infrared rangefinders and edge detectors) meant that control was fairly crude, relying on a single ultrasonic rangefinder. Before the robot could meaningfully compete in a sumo competition this issue would need to be corrected and a plow attached to the front. The robot is currently being used for general robotic experimentation.

Contents

Sumo Competition Rules

The goal of a sumo competition is to force an opposing robot out of a circular ring without being either being pushed out or running out of the ring accidentally. In the 3kg weight class, the two opposing robots begin approximately 20 cm from each other in the middle of a 154 cm diameter black dohyo (raised cylinder) with white lines painted along its edge to designate the boundary. The robots may not use any methods other than simple motive force to force their opponent out of the ring and must operate completely autonomously. The robot that forces its opponent off of the dohyo wins the match.

Interface Board

An interface board was designed that implements many of the core features listed above. The board was designed in OrCAD. The schematic, board, and artwork is available here. Please see the included readme. Ideally, the board would be enlarged or everything switched to surface mount components to allow for more features to be added. This design can easily be milled so long as the holes can be plated.

Here are the features that were implemented:

Power

5V Low Dropout (LDO) Linear Regulator

3.3V LDO Linear Regulator

Phoenix connector for power input

Beagleboard connector (ribbon cable to Beagleboard)

Motor drivers

4x L298, one for each motor

Flyback diodes

Logic gates (74HC04 and 74HC08) to control high and low side drivers in L298

Connectors

2x Phoenix connectors for motors

2x headers for GP2D12

2x headers for USF08

2x headers for optical sensors

2x headers for bump switches

Components

2x MAX3378 level shifters

Analog to Digital Converter (for IR and optical sensors)

2x 5v header

5v I2C header

Power

The power input is used directly for the motors and regulated down to 5v and 3.3v. 7.2V rechargeable battery packs can be used.

Tasks

Drawing of the robot's aluminum panels (click for details).

Build physical robot [On track]

Drivetrain [Mostly complete]

Water-cut plates [Done]

Cut corner fasteners [Done]

Assemble [Done]

Electronics box (to be done after electronics have been completed) [Not started]